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SPHI Brief 2014: Scaling Up Sweetpotato Through Agriculture and Nutrition in Rwanda

Rwanda ranks among countries with increased investment in agriculture. Though this investment targets five crops mainly maize, rice, beans, banana, and potato; the role of sweetpotato for rural food security is also widely recognized. Despite such gains, levels of chronic malnutrition still remain high. The government of Rwanda, therefore, is promoting the development and utilization of biofortified crops, including biofortified orange fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP). In this context, SUSTAIN Rwanda together with the Rwanda Bureau of Agriculture (RAB) disseminate OFSP technologies to smallholder farmers and link these farmers to markets for fresh roots as well as commercial processors. As outlined in this brief, SUSTAIN Rwanda has Integrated messaging on OFSP planting, maintenance, harvesting, storage, and consumption, and translated and is currently reviewing counselling cards to be used for training on appropriate nutrition for pregnant and lactating women as well as children under 5 years of age as this will aid achieve reduced malnutrition.

HOW TO CITE

Ackatia-Armah, R. and Sindi, K. 2014. Scaling Up Sweetpotato Through Agriculture and Nutrition in Rwanda. International Potato center (CIP).